Written Answers Wednesday 17 February 2010

Scottish Executive

Health

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-30594 by Nicola Sturgeon on 19 January 2010, for what reason only three new outpatients were referred to the chiropody and podiatry specialities in 2008-09.

Nicola Sturgeon: NHS chiropody and podiatry services are delivered by Allied Health Professionals (AHP) and not through consultant-led outpatient clinics.

  In the year ending 31 March 2009, 48,413 new patients were seen by NHS chiropodists and podiatrists based on published AHP statistics.

  Further information on AHP activity is published on the ISD website and can be found at:

  http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/4452.html.

Health

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the UK Department of Health regarding the practice accreditation schemes being piloted in England.

Nicola Sturgeon: There are regular discussions between the Scottish Government and UK Department of Health on various health related issues. The pilot practice accreditation scheme is a Department of Health initiative linked to quality of care and registration of GP practices with the English Care Quality Commission. In Scotland there is a broadly equivalent Quality Practice Award run by RCGP Scotland which aims to improve patient care by encouraging and supporting practices to deliver the highest quality care to their patients.

Influenza

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive which NHS boards had overspent on integrated care and emergency services associated with winter pressures and the influenza A (H1N1) virus as of 31 December 2009.

Nicola Sturgeon: All NHS boards receive and annual allocation of funds. It is for each NHS board to decide how best to utilise these funds. No specific budget is allocated for integrated care and emergency services associated with winter pressures and the influenza A (H1N1) virus.

Public Sector Staff

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-28176 by Jim Mather on 6 November 2009, what response it has had from the chairs of public bodies contacted regarding a waiver of bonuses by chief executives.

John Swinney: Thirty-six chief executives are covered by the Public Sector Pay Policy for Senior Appointments 2009-10. Of these, 10 chief executives are not eligible to be considered for a bonus this pay year. Pay and bonus proposals for 2009-10 in respect of a further 12 (46% of those eligible for consideration) have yet to be considered by the Scottish Government. Of the remaining 14 chief executives whose 2009-10 pay proposals have been approved so far, seven have indicated that they propose to waive part or all of any bonus awarded to them in 2009-10.

Public Sector Staff

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive when the current chief executive or equivalent of each (a) non-departmental public body, (b) Executive agency and (c) other public body was appointed.

John Swinney: Information on the start date of public body chief executives is not held centrally.

  In the case of non-departmental public bodies, the effective start date is a contractual matter for agreement between the employing public body and the chief executive.

  Information on the start dates of chief executives of Scottish Government executive agencies and non-ministerial departments is set out in the following tables:

  

Scottish Government Agencies
Chief Executive
Start Date


Accountant in Bankruptcy
Rosemary Winter-Scott
1 October 2009


Disclosure Scotland
David Patel
30 March 2009


Historic Scotland
Ruth Parsons (Acting)
1 October 2009


HM Inspectorate of Education 
Graham Donaldson
1 November 2002


National Archives of Scotland
George P Mackenzie
1 January 2001


Scottish Court Service
Eleanor Emberson 
5 July 2004


Scottish Housing Regulator
Michael Cameron (Acting)
19 October 2009


Scottish Prison Service
Willie Pretswell (Acting)
30 November 2009


Scottish Public Pensions Agency
Neville Mackay
2 August 2004


Social Work Inspection Agency
Alexis Jay
4 April 2004


Student Awards Agency for Scotland
Tracey Slaven
1 October 2009


Transport Scotland
David Middleton
9 February 2009



  

Non-Ministerial Departments
Chief Executive
Start Date


General Register Office for Scotland
Duncan MacNiven
4 August 2003


Registers of Scotland
Sheenagh Adams
1 July 2009


Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator
Jane Ryder 
1 February 2007

Renewable Energy

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what advice is provided to recipients of Energy Saving Scotland home renewables grants to ensure that planning difficulties are avoided in relation to the installation of renewable energy devices.

Jim Mather: Alongside grants, the Scottish Government funds the work of specialist home renewables advisors to provide intensive, hands on support to householders on all aspects of their renewable energy installation including assistance with planning permission if necessary.

  The terms and conditions of the grants also make clear to applicants that they must secure any necessary planning permissions and building consents and signposts them to their local authority for further information.

  In addition, the Energy Saving Trust, funded by the Scottish Government, provide advice to local authorities and housing associations through the Practical Help service, including advice on planning.

Renewable Energy

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many businesses will benefit from the new rates relief scheme for renewables companies, broken down by (a) local authority and (b) constituency.

John Swinney: Micro-generation and offshore energy generation are already exempted from payment of business rates. It is not possible at this stage to give details of the number of businesses that will benefit from the new rates relief scheme for renewable energy producers. Figures will be available at the end of 2010-11, the first full year of the scheme. There are around 170 onshore sites across Scotland involved in the production of renewable energy that may currently be eligible to apply for relief under the scheme. The number benefiting should increase as new sites open. The Scottish Government will work with the industry to raise awareness and encourage uptake.